Typographical machine



W. ACKERMAN TYPOGRAPHICAL MACHINE Filed May 19, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet l Dec, 23, 1924. l

W. ACKERMAN TYPOGRAPHIGAL MACHINE Filed 4my 19, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec, 23y 1924.

w. ACKERMAN TYPOGRAPHIGAL MACHINE Filed May 19, 1924 4 Sheets-Shut 3 INVENTOR W. ACKERMAN TYPOGRAPHIGAL MACHINE Dec, 23, 1924.

v Filed May 19, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 y INVENTOR Patented Dec. 23, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM ACKERMAN, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO MERGENTHALER LINOT'YPE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YO'RK.

TYPOGRAPHICAL MACHINE.

Application filed May 19,

To all @ofzo/nt fit muy cou/cerny.'

Re it known that I, VILLIAM ACKERMAN, a citizen ot' the United States, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State or' New York, have invented certain new and useitul lniiprovements in Typographical Machines, of which the following is a specilication.

This invention relates to typographical machines, such as linotype machines of the general organization represented in U. S. Letters Patent No. 436,532, to O. Mergenthaler, wherein circulating matrices are released from magazine in the order in which their characters are to appear in print and then assembled in line, the composed line transferred to the 'face ot' a mold, the mold filled with molten metal to Jform a slug or linotype against the matrices which produce the type characters thereon, and the matrices thereafter elevated and returned through distributing mechanism to the magazine from which they started. More particularly, it relates to that class of machines equipped with a plurality o1 magazines containing matrices of different itorms or fonts and a smaller plurality of simultaneously operat-ing distributors caf pable oit working in conjunction with diliierent groups of magazines. The Billington Patent No. 1,427,511 deals with machines ot this class and provides an automatically controlled' selecting mechanism which insures the delivery to the distributors of mat rices of the particular forms or fonts contained in AtheI magazines with which the distributors are tor the time being in coolieratiou,

The present invention follows along the saine lines as that disclosed in the Billington patent, and contemplates an improved form ot selecting mechanism, the, general idea being to provide a simple, compact and economical construction, highly eiiicient in operation and capable of being applied to the regular linotype machines with the minimum ot change. The exact nature Of the improven'iemis and the advantages derived therefrom will best be understood from the detailed description to follow.

l'te'terring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a* side elevation ot the upper portion of a linotype machine equipped with the iniiprovements l-fg. 2 a rear elevation on an enlarged 1924. Serial No. 714,23

scale oit the improved matrix separating mechanism 3 Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken through said mechanism Fig. 3a is a detail section taken on the line 23a-3 oit Fig. 3; and

Fig. l is a perspective view showing the manner in which the matrix separating mechanism is controlled :trom the magazines.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the machine is equipped with :tour magazines A, containing matrices X of respectively diiii'erent :torms or Yfonts, and two like distriliutors B, which distribute the mate rices according to character. The magazines are mounted in the so-called shiitt frame A?, which is arranged to be moved upwardly and downwardly in the machine trame in the well-known manner to bring any selected pair of adjoining magazines into operative relation to a pair of magazine entrances B1 leading 'from the two distributors. The matrices are delivered to the respective distributors through tubes or chutes C1 leading from a preliminary distributor C, which separate-s the matrices according to itorm or font and drops them into one or the other of the tubes. The matrices are fed to the preliminary distributor, one at a. time, from a distributor box D, which receives the composed .lines after casting from a second elevator D1. As ordinarily, the preliminary distributor C comprises a distributor bar E Atermed vwith groups of teeth El and intermediate blank portions E2, a set of matrix conveying screws Gr, and a series of selector bridges l? formed with matrix supporting ridges F1. In passing' through the distributor, the matrices X are suspended from the teeth El by their tooth combinations X1 except at the blank portions E2 where they are sustained at their lower ends by the ridges Fl ot the selector bridges F. The ridges F1 vary in number or arrangement on the diilerent selector bridges and cooperate with corresponding cuts or notches X2 Aformed in the lower ends oi the matrices oi" the different t'onts, the arrangement being such that when a matrix reaches the bridge to which its notches correspond, it settles astride the ridges oit this bridge out ot engaging relation to the teeth on the distributorl bar and drops through the space between the Ll (l bridges into the delivery chute leading to the appropriate distributor. The foregoing parts and their mode of operation, except as hereinafter pointed out, are or may be the same as embodied in the commercial Model 9 Linotype, or as illustrated in various patents issued to John R. Rogers.

According to this invention, the preliminary distributor C is provided with four selector bridges F, one for each of the magazines A, and the ribbed bar E is formed with but two blank portions E2, one for each of the distributors B, provision being' made whereby different pairs of bridges may be located in operative position below the two blank portions to correspond with the ditlerent pairs of magazines brought into cooperation with the distributors. In the present instance, the several bridges are carried by cross-blocks f1 projecting' rear- \\'ardly from an angular supporting slide ll mounted for longitudinal adjustment in a corresponding guideway H2 formed in the front wall of the preliminary distributor. The forward side of the guideway is constituted by a removable wear-plate H3 set in position by means of screws Ht. Fixed stops H5 and HG are located at the opposite ends of the guideway to limitthe extent of adjustment of the supporting slide in opposite directions, the stop H5 serving` to arrest the slide with the first and second bridges in operative position and the stopl HG serving to arrest the slide with the third and fourth bridges in operative position. lVhen adjusted midway between the two stops, the slide will present the second and third bridges in operative position, this being' the condition illustrated in the drawings. By thus setting' the in one or another of its three different positions, the matrix separating function of the preliminary distributor may be varied to correspond to whatever pair of magazines is brought into cooperation with the two main tistributors, it being noted that the two intermediate bridges under different conditions of adjustment each located at one time below the first and at another time below the second blank portion of the distributor bar, whereas the first and fourth bridges under similar conditions of adjustnient are either located beneath the first and second blank portions, respectively, or are out of operative position entirely. In this connection, it is pointed outthat the last bridge of the series might be made plain or without ridges at all, inasmuch as it serves to direct matrices into the second delivery tube only. ln such event, however, any matrices reaching that bridge, irrespective of their form, vould pass into the delivery tube and find their way back into the appropriate magazine. It is, therefore, adv 'antageous to provide the last bridge, like supporting slide the others, with the supporting ridges, so that only matrices of corresponding form will be allowed to pass into the delivery tube. rlhose matrices which are rejected by the last bridge simply pass out of the preliminary distributor and drop into a pi-t-ube. A s will be noted, the individual bridges F are connected to their supporting blocks H1 by clove-tails f which permit them to be readily removed for interchange or replacement to correspond with a similar interchange or replacenient of the magazines. ln effecting the removal of the bridges, the rear wall of the preliminary distributor is swung up out of the way, as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig'.

lVhile the required adjustments of the bridge supporting slide might be effected manually, it is preferred to carry them out, automatically in order to insure the delivery of the matrices to their appropriate distributors at all times. Accordingly, as a convenient means for accomplishing this result, there is employed a bell crank level J, centrally pivoted to the machine frame as at J1 and arranged with its upper end loosely engaged in a socket or recess H7 of the supporting slide. it its lower end, the bell crank lever is pivotally connected by a link J2 to the rear end of a rocking lever J3, which is pivoted at its forward end. as at J, to a supporting bracket .l5 lined to the machine frame. Between its ends, the rocking' lever J3 is provided with a roller J arranged to track upon a cam plate J7 carried by the magazine shift frame Al. said cam plate being formed with high and low'surfaces JS J9, respectively. A spring d10, pulling upwardly on the rocking lever serves to maintain its roller in engagement with the cam plate and tends constantly, through the connections described, to shift the bridge supporting slide toward the left in Figs. 2 and 4. The construction and arrangement of the parts such that when the middle pair of magazines is brought into cooperation with the distributors ll, the low surface J9 of the cam plate is brought into enga-gement with the roller J of the rocking' lever J3 and the latter rocked downwardly to place the supporting slidev H in its intermediate position, with the second and third bridges l? in operative position below the two blank portions E2 of the distributor bar ll. such being the condition of the parts as illustrated in the drawings. Under such conditions, the preliminary distributor will function to carry out the separation of the matrices belonging to the two magazines in use, delivering those matrices into one or the other of the 'two delivery tubes C1, according to forni or font. It', however. the magazine shift frame is moved to connect the two upper magazines with the distributors, the high surface JS ot the cam plate is engaged with the roller J" and the lever J3 rocked downwardly to a further extent so as to adjust the supporting slide up against the righthand stop H6, Ithereby placing the last two bridges beneath the blank portions E2 and adapting the preliminary distributor to carry out the separation of the matrices according to form as contained in the two upper magazines. lVhen, now, the magazine shift trame is moved to connect the two lower magazines to the distributors, the cam plate J7 is carried entirely out oit' cngagement with the rocking lever J allowing the spring Jl" to rock the lever J3 upwardly and shift the supporting slide up against the left-hand stop H5, thereby placing the lirst two selector bric ges beneath the two blank portions E2 and adapting the. preliminary distributor to carry out the separation ot the matrices according Ito torni as contained in these two lower magazines. lt will. thusbe seen that the position of 'the bridge supporting slide is controlled by that ot the magazines, the matrix separating tunction ot the preliininary distributor being varied automatically in accordance witlrthe variation of the cooperating tuneton oit the two main distributors.

lt has been seen that the adjustment of the bridge supporting slide in one direction is eli'ected by the spring J 10, which is desirable in permitting the parts to yield in Ithe event of obstruction being offered to the movement ot the slide, as for instance due to a misplaced matrix. In order to provide for the yielding of the parts under similar conditions when the slide is adjusted in the opposite direction, the connecting link J 2 is constructed of two relatively movable parts, one a rod j iitted into a bar y, which latter is formed with a recess f/'g containing a spring ,7'3 bearing at one end against a collar j" on the lower end oi the rod j, and bearing at its opposite end against the upper wall of the recess. The collar j* is normally held in engagement with the lower wall of the recess so as to transmit the upward movement of the rocking lever J3 to the bell crank lever J, but, as will be obvious, when undue resistance is otlered to the downward movement of the rocking lever by the cam plate Il?, the bar j will be permitted to slide downwardly along the rod y', compressiiig the spring (/'3 against the collar jt, which remains stationary because ot the obstruction.

lt has also been seen that the two lixed stops lvl5 and H serve to locate the bridge supporting slide delinitely in its two terminal positions. In order to locate it with equal certainty in its intermediate position, there is employed a spring actuated pointed detent l( mounted in the framework in position to engage in a V-shaped notch ot a plate K1 attached to the upper arm ot the bell crank lever J (see particularly Fig. 3a). The inclined sides ot the V-shaped notch permit the ready disengagement ol the detent as the slide is adjusted in either direction from its intermediate posit-ion. t opposite sides of the V-shaped notch the plate K1 is formed with beveled surtaces K2, which facilitate the engagement ot the detent in the notch.

It is pointed out that the selector bridges F, which are located below the distributor bar E or along the path otl the matrices, are adjustable longitudinally ot the bar or in a direction parallel with the matrix path to locate dillerent groups thereof beneath the two blank portions of the bar. This arrangement is very advantageous in carrying out the objects ot the invention as previously recited, and, moreover, provides for the proper cooperation between the ridges on the selector bridges and the notches in the bottoms ot' the matrices, it being obvious that such coopeiation depends upon the accurate lateral locationV ot the bridges as is seciu'ed by the longitudinal guideway in which the supporting slide is located.

In the accompanying drawings, the iuvention has been shown merely in preterred form and by way of example and obviously many changes and alterations may be made therein without departing from the spirit ot the invention. For instance, while the machine illustrated deals with two distributors operating simultaneously in conjunction with a plurality of magazines, operable in pairs, the invention is equally applicable to, say, three or tour distributors in use with a plurality ot' magazines operable in groups or series, each comprising a number oit magazines corresponding to that ot the distributors. Again, in the machine illustrated, the arrangement is such that three different pairs of magazines may be brought into use alternatively, whereas the arrangen'ient might readily be modii'ied to provide tor the alternative use of greater or less num-- ber ot pairs ot magazines, it being apparent, for instance, that it' but two pairs ot magazines are employed, the bridge supporting slide would need to be set in only two dill'erent operative positions. Moreover, the selection of the magazines in pairs or groups might be effected other than by shitting the magazines, as for example by the movement of the distributors instead. These and various other modifications will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and still be comprised within the scope ot the invention. It should be noted, therefore, that the invention is not limited to any specitic torni or en'ibodiment, except in so tar as such limitations are speciiied in the claims.

Having thus described my invention, its

llt)

lou

luf)

lll.)

llt)

Lili

construction and mode of operation, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is as follows:

l. Matrix separating mechanism including a plurality of selector bridges arranged along the matriz: path and adjustable in a direction parallel with said path to locate one or 'another in operative position.

2. Matrix separating mechanism comprising a toothed distributor bar formed at one point in its length With a blank portion, a plurality of selector bridges underlying` the distributor bar, and means for adjusting the selector bridges longitudinally of the distributor bar to locate onev or another beneath its blank portion.

3. Matrix separating mechanism comprising a toothed distributor bar formed at one point in its length With a blank portion, a plurality of selector bridges underlying thel distributor bar, and a supporting slide carrying the selector bridges and adjustable longitudinally of the distributor bar to locate one or another thereof beneath its blank portion.

t. Matrix separating mechanism comprising a toothed distributor bar formed at one point in its length with a blank portion, a plurality of selector bridges underlying the distributor bar, a supporting slide carrying the selector bridges and adjustable longitudinally of the distributor bar to l cate one or another thereof beneath its blank portion, and a fixed stop arranged to arrest the supporting slide in one of its operative positions.

Matrix separating mechanism comprising a toothed distributor bar formed at one point in its length With a blank portion, a plurality of selector bridges underlying the distributor bar, a supporting slide carrying the selector bridges and adjustable lon-gitudinally of the distributor bar to locate one or another thereof beneath its blank portion, and a pair of fixed stops arranged to arrest the supporting slide in different operative positions.

6. Matrix separating mechanism comprising a toothed distributor bar formed at one point in its length with a blank portion, a plurality of selector bridges underlying the distributor bar, a supporting slide carrying the selector bridges and adjustable longitudinally of the distributor bar to loca-te one or another thereof beneath its blank portion, and a fixed guideu'ay in which the supporting slide is mounted.

7. Matrix separating mechanism comprising a toothed distributor bar formed at one point in its length With aV bla-nk portion, a plurality of selec-tor bridges underlying the distributor bar, and a supporting slide carrying the selector bridges and adjustable longitudinally of the distributor bar t-o locate one or another thereof beneath its blank portion, the said selector bridges being detachably connected to the supporting slide to permit their ready replacement or interchange.

S. Matrix separating mechanism comprising a toothed distributor bar forme-d at different points in its length with blank portions, a plurality of selector bridges underlying the distributor bar, and means for adjusting' the selector bridges longitudinally of the distributor bary to locate different `groups thereof beneath its blank portions.

9. lvllatrix separating mechanism comprising a toothed distributor bar formed at different points in its length Twith blank portions, a plurality of selector bridges underlying the distributor bar, and a supporting slide carrying the: selector bridges and adjustable longitudinally of the distributor bar to locate different groups thereof beneathl its blank portions.

l0. In a machine such as described, the combination With plurality of main distributors and a. separating mchanism for directing matrices to the respective Ldistributo-rs, according to form, said mechani sm including a plurality of selector bridges arranged along the matrix path and. adj ustable in a direction parallel with said path to locate one or another in operative position, of a magazine containing matrices of a given form, means for connecting said magazine Wit-h one or another of the distributors, and automatic means for eli'eeting the proper adjustment of the selector bridges to provide for the delivery of the: matrices contained in said magazine to the particular distributor with which it is connected.

ll.. In a machine such as described, the combination of a plurality of magazines, a smaller plurality of main distributors, and means whereby the several distributors may be operatively connected to different groups of magazines, With matrix separating mechanism including a toothed distributor bar formed With a blank portion at one point in its length, and a j nlurality of selector bridges underlyino' said bar and adjustable longitudinally thereof to locate one or another beneath said blank portion, together ivith automatic means for adjusting the selector bridges to correspond with Athe particular group of magazines selected.

l2. In a machine such as described, the combination of a plurality of magazines, a smaller plurality of main distributors, and means for moving the magazines to bring different selected groups thereof into operative relation to the several distributors, With matr-ix separating mechanism including a tooth-ed distributor bar formed with a blank portion at one point in its length and a plurality of selector bridges underlying said bar and adjustable-y longitudinally lill thereof to locate one or another beneath said blank portion, together with means controlled by the movement or' the magazines for adjusting the selector bridges to correspond with the particular group ot magazines selected,

13. In a. machine such as described, the combination of a plurality of maga-zines, a smaller plurality of main distributors, and means whereby the several distributors be operatively connected to different groups ot magazines, with matrixY separating mechansirn including a toothed distributor' bar termed at different points in its length With as many blank. portions as: there are main distributors, and aplurality of selector bridgeg one tor each oll the magazines, underlying the distributor bar and adjustable longitudinally thereof to locate different selected groups beneath said blank portions, together With automatic means for adjusting the selector bridges to correspond With the particular group ot magazines selected.

1.1L. In a machine such as described, the combination of a` plurality7 of magazines, a smaller plurality of main distributors, and means for moving the magazines to bring different selected groups thereof into operative relation tothe several distributors, With matrix separating` mechanism including a toothed distributor bar formed at diterent points in its length with as many blank portions as there are main distributors, and a. plurality of selector bridges, one `tor each ot the magazines, underlying the distributor bar and adjustable longitudinally thereof to locate different selected groups beneath said blank portions, together with means Vcontrolled by the movement of the magazines for adjusting the selector bridges to correspond with the particular group of magazines selected.

l5. In a machine such as described, the combination ot the movablel magazines A., Vthe main distributors B, the preliminary distributor C including the longitudinally adjustable bridge supporting slide H, and means actuated by the movement oi' the magazines 'for adjusting the bridge supporting slide, said means including the bell crank lever J connecting link J 2, rocking lever J3, cam plate JT, and spring J1".

In testimony Whereoz I have a-'tlixed my signature hereto.

YWILLIAM ACKERMAN 

